Rationale

The MA in Community Development is a two-year programme crafted to empower leaders with the tools to foster sustainable, inclusive growth in diverse communities. As Africa faces rapid urbanization, environmental challenges, and social inequalities, this programme equips students to design and implement transformative community initiatives. It blends practical strategies with theoretical insights, focusing on grassroots engagement, resource mobilization, and participatory development models. By addressing both local needs and global trends, the programme prepares graduates to lead impactful projects in NGOs, government agencies, and community-based organizations.

This course is ideal for development practitioners, community leaders, and professionals in non-profits or public sectors seeking to create lasting change in African and global contexts.

Objectives

The objectives of the MA in Community Development are to enable students:

• To design and implement sustainable community development projects tailored to local contexts.
• To apply participatory approaches that empower communities in decision-making processes.
• To analyze social, economic, and environmental factors impacting community development.
• To develop skills in resource mobilization and stakeholder collaboration for impactful initiatives.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of development interventions using evidence-based methods.
• To integrate global best practices with African perspectives in community development.